US Bridges

Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek

FairPosted for load

Barber County, Kansas · 0.7S of Sharon · Structure no. 000040701006789

Built
1935
90 years old
Condition
Fair
inspected October 2023
Type
Tee Beam
Concrete
Length
32 ft
1 main span
Daily traffic
65
2018 count
Owner
County
County Highway Agency

About this bridge

Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek is a concrete tee beam carrying Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek in Barber County, Kansas. It was built in 1935, so it is 90 years old, older than the Kansas average of 52.8 years.

The most recent inspection reported to the Federal Highway Administration rates it in fair condition with a lowest component rating of 6 out of 9. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. Its operating status is: posted for load restriction.

It carries about 65 vehicles a day, roughly 5% of them trucks, projected to reach 80 by 2043. The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long and 23 ft wide. If it were closed, the detour would be 1.9 mi (3 km).

Location

Open in Google Maps
CarriesBluestem Road
CrossesLittle Sandy Creek
Location0.7S of Sharon
RouteCounty Highway 0
CountyBarber County
StateKansas
Coordinates37.24078, -98.42214
Functional classRural Local

Condition and inspection

Fair

The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound.

ComponentRatingMeaning
Deck6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Superstructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Substructure6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Channel and channel protection6 SatisfactoryStructural elements show some minor deterioration.
Last inspectionOctober 2023
Inspection intervalevery 24 months
Operating statusPosted for load restriction
ScourFoundations stable; scour within limits of footing or piles
Structural evaluation4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Deck geometry4: Meets minimum tolerable limits to be left in place as is
Waterway adequacy6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Approach roadway alignment6: Equal to present minimum criteria
Operating rating12 US tons
Inventory rating12 US tons

Structure

Structure typeTee Beam
MaterialConcrete
DeckConcrete, cast-in-place
Main spans1
Design loadUnknown
Structure length32 ft (9.8 m)
Longest span31 ft (9.3 m)
Deck width23 ft (6.9 m)
Roadway width20 ft (6 m)
Vertical clearance over deck100 ft (30.5 m)

Traffic and service

Average daily traffic65 (2018)
Projected traffic80 by 2043
Trucks5%
Lanes on structure2
Traffic directionTwo-way traffic
CarriesHighway
CrossesWaterway
Detour if closed1.9 mi (3 km)
TollOn a free road
National Highway SystemNo

Ownership and planned work

OwnerCounty Highway Agency
Maintained byCounty Highway Agency
Historic statusPossibly eligible for the National Register; requires further investigation
Work proposedNone recorded
Estimated improvement cost—
NavigationNo navigation control on waterway

Frequently asked questions

When was Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek built?

It was built in 1935, making it 90 years old in 2025.

What condition is Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek in?

The National Bridge Inventory rates it in fair condition. The lowest-rated primary component is rated 5 or 6. Minor deterioration is present but the structure is sound. The last reported inspection was in October 2023.

How much traffic does Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek carry?

About 65 vehicles per day (2018 count), of which roughly 5% are trucks.

How long is Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek?

The structure is 32 ft (9.8 m) long with a longest span of 31 ft (9.3 m) and a deck 23 ft wide.

Who owns Bluestem Road over Little Sandy Creek?

It is owned by the County Highway Agency.